Youth march on Federal Plaza, urge leaders to take action on climate change
Lesli Garcia
Staff Writer
“Politician Scapegoat. Students will get out and vote!” “Ten years ago, maybe when I was in middle school, nobody was talking about this.
“The people united. Will never be divided!” None of my peers were talking about this,” said Maddie Ortega, a University of Illinois-
“Save our planet!” Chicago student.
On Sept. 20, in cities around the world, students chanted as they held their signs high Ortega told a Pulse reporter, who attended the event, that adults aren’t the only ones
and proud for others to see. It was one of the biggest global climate change strikes to date. talking about climate change now.
In Chicago, the event was organized by the Illinois Youth Climate Strike with an expected “It’s kids talking about it too,” she said.
attendance of 3,000, but actual attendance exceeded those numbers. Many of the speakers at the protest pointed to those in power who should be voted out
The march began at 11 a.m. in Grant Park in downtown Chicago and continued toward of office for not addressing the global issue that is terrifying so many students. The fear
Federal Plaza until 3 p.m. and anger of hundreds of thousands of students could be visible and felt by many at the
Hundred of thousands of students marched on the street with anger and fear, anger di- event.
rected at those in power who raised their fear with their actions according to these students. They want change and they want it now.
That was last month in Chicago, but what about now and here in Kenosha. How do
teens here feel about recent climate change protests by teens including 16-year-old Swed-
ish activist Greta Thunberg, whose call for action has been heard around the world?
”I don’t really see much being done in my community. The most I’ve seen is biode-
gradable utensils at school, but that’s about it,” said Ava McHugh, 16, a General Studies
junior studying at Indian Trail High School & Academy.
“I think the people who hold positions of power care more about money and the econ-
omy, instead of the planet,” McHugh said.
The impact from those protests may not be seen directly in sudden actions, but can
be seen to have had affected the mindset of students and led some to want to take a step
forward to see change.
“I have ideas to form a new club specifically to do research on current problems with
the environment,” said Kali Aver, a Medical Science senior at Indian Trail High School &
Academy. “forming teams to go pick up garbage in town, and maybe even inviting guest
speakers to teach us more.”
Although recent protests haven’t prompted dramatic changes yet, the marches and
Students march toward Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago on Sept. 20 in fight youth activism have spurred some students to take action toward improving the environ-
against climate change. Photo by Lesli Garcia ment and fighting climate change.
Teen employment can bring stress, but also gives students life experience
Elly Herrick
Staff Writer
From doing yard-work to bussing tables, Indian Trail and noted that patience is key. labor market has plenty of job openings, but it may be hard
High School & Academy senior Jacob Kielan has already “Working at a law firm at 16 is extremely nerve-wrack- to find the perfect fit, teens say.
acquired a lot of work experience. For the past year and ing,” Hermanson said. “From personal experience, you IT junior and Culver’s employee Hailey Price said con-
a half, he’s been at the Pleasant Prairie Recplex working just gotta hang in there and take time to learn everything.” nections made in the workplace are special.
with children. Stress in the workplace is common and can stem from “It’s a good starting job. Being here for a year and a half
“The job is difficult because you have to make sure ev- workload, people, and trying to balance social and work is tiring, but when working here you see people you truly
ery kid is accounted for, safe, and having fun,” Kielan said. life. While people can seem like they’re in the fast lane, appreciate and love,” Price said.
Some days he leaves work feeling completely drained. accomplishing multiple tasks at a time, they may also be “The best part of working is getting to see my favorite
Stress comes with most jobs, according to Betterhealth. suffering from chronic stress. Hermanson manages his people,” Price states again, making sure her point was well
com, the No. 1 ranked health and medical website in Aus- stress by listening to music and trying to keep a clear head, understood.
tralia. he said. Minimum wage in Wisconsin as of 2019 is $7.25 per
“The longer we feel stressed, the greater the demand Six Flags America caricature artist Annphia Shelton, an hour. Some workplaces, such as Mcdonalds, offer a start-
on our bodies,” the site advises. Learning how to handle IT sophomore, works in a difficult, yet supportive and new ing wage of $8, while others such as Walmart have starting
that stress and turn it into motivation is a much harder feat. environment. positions as high as $14.13 per hour.
“It’s rewarding because I’m happy to see the kids hap- “It’s definitely difficult,” Shelton explains. “It’s a com- While a job helps young employees gain time manage-
py,” Kielan said. pletely different form of art I haven’t done before, and you ment skills, experience, friendships and income, it also
One in four high school students have jobs. In 2018, have to learn how to do it at the drop of a hat.” may bring stress, anxiety and depression.
about 29 percent of teens worked year-round and just un- “It’s a learning experience!” she said. Teens say it’s a life experience where you can make
der 35 percent worked in the summer, according to a Pew Many state and federal laws protect minors from work- special connections.
Research Center study. ing excessive hours. During the summer, minors can work “Getting a job at this age is worth it,” Price said. “I’m
Zac Hermanson, a Lakeview High School senior, has 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, with those hours run- the person there with the best attitude, especially if every-
been working at a law firm in Kenosha for three months. ning only until 9 p.m. After Labor Day, they shall only one’s stressed. I’m there to say, ‘It’s okay!’”
“Everything is do-able,” Hermanson said. work until 7 p.m. and are limited to just 18 hours a week.
He works with many workers who are older than him Nowadays, with a 3.5 percent unemployment rate, the